Hardwick, New Braintree sharing police chief, lieutenant

Thursday

Aug 21, 2014 at 6:00 AMAug 21, 2014 at 2:08 PM

By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

HARDWICK — Since July 1, New Braintree and Hardwick have been sharing more than a border. The two towns have been sharing a police chief and lieutenant in a pact designed to save both communities money and increase patrols.

But a better plan came to light and Chief Ayotte, for $13,800 per year paid by New Braintree, agreed to oversee that department as well as the one he already heads up in Hardwick.

Lt. Kevin M. Landine will earn $6,000 annually from New Braintree.

Both men will continue to collect their salaries from Hardwick, as well.

All of Hardwick's officers, four full-time and 12 part-time, along with the three active part-time officers in New Braintree, were sworn in to work for both towns, the chief explained.

"Basically," Chief Ayotte said, "Hardwick is providing 24-7 coverage for them (New Braintree). We're treating New Braintree like another village (of Hardwick)."

But because there are officers in both towns, many hours will be staffed by two patrols instead of one and that, Lt. Landine said, is a boon for officer safety.

"It's really a lot safer," he said. "Before, the New Braintree chief was by himself to respond to calls."

The marriage was an easy one, Chief Ayotte said. The departments had worked closely, with officers providing backup for one another.

"We use the same court, the same DCF (Department of Children and Families) office; we're in the same county," he said. "The only thing different is the state police: The Belchertown barracks respond to Hardwick and the Brookfield barracks responds to New Braintree."

He is looking into whether traffic cases from both towns can be scheduled on the same weekday at Western Worcester District Court in East Brookfield so that travel to court would be reduced.

Both towns retain ownership of their capital, such as cruisers and other items.

"The New Braintree Police Department isn't going to go away. They're always going to have a car that says New Braintree Police; they're always going to be there," Lt. Landine said.

Chief Ayotte said that with the closing of the Hardwick Senior Center later this year, he's pondering whether the two towns might share resources for seniors, as well.

He said he has already been made aware of some grants that the communities might be eligible for now that they're sharing police, and he hopes to bring in some funding using grants.

"Down the road, we might be able to share a lot of things that would streamline and save money," he said.

A final, written agreement will be reviewed at 6 p.m. Sept. 2 at New Braintree Town Hall. The agreement is in a six-month trial phase, and so far the chief is pleased with the arrangement.